Monday, May 27, 2013

Stuff. Our nation is built on entrepreneurship, mastering the art of business and by doing that, fueling our economy. Now we live in one of the richest countries in the world where you can drive two minutes and buy anything you could possibly need. But how much of what we buy do we really need? Do I really need another shirt? Another quirky nik-nak? How much enjoyment will this purchase bring me and for how long? Will I use it daily? weekly? monthly? I'm not saying buying stuff is wrong, but being mentally present while standing in line at the cash register is advisable.

The problem with buying stuff is, when you flip through a magazine, design site, or Pinterest, and you find a room that speaks to you, why do you like it? Yes, that wallpaper is oh-so-chic, and that chair is very mod, but what about the space around these objects? Chances are there isn't storage boxes, dozens of shoes, or heaps of stuff lying around. After specific style, the next thing that attracts a person is air, emptiness, light, breathing room. You can only have breathing room once you've gotten rid of the excess things in your home. You know that dress/piece of furniture/box in that you don't quite like or use anymore but you for some reason can't bear to part with? Get rid of it. Instead of owning hundreds of "eh" things, own dozens of "OH MY GOODNESS I ADORE THIS" things. Get to that place where your home is full of air, full of space and full of only the things you love.

Over the past month I've been going through boxes and closets, picking up every little object and piece of furniture I own and asking myself, "How much does this add to my life?" or "Why am I keeping this?". I've donated three garbage bags of clothing (yeah, I know, it was bad) and five boxes of stuff I don't use. The funny thing about getting rid of excess is you can see what you really love. After I had jettisoned everything i didn't need I was left with my art supplies, clothing and a huge music collection. That's my life, art, fashion and music. I encourage you to also go over your stuff. After you've cut away the excess, I guarantee that you'll breathe easier.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Over the past months while sitting in the classrooms of my college, I planned a series of paintings. Picasso once said

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"

and oh boy, oh boy was I feeling dusty sitting through those lectures. Don't get me wrong, I am academically minded, and I work extremely hard to earn my high grades. I believe in life long learning, and am happy to listen to my professors, but week after week of schooling wares me out. My creative soul seems to shrink, and that "dust" Picasso speaks of becomes an insufferable blanket. By my own nature I am an introvert. I glean energy and inspiration by sitting alone and thinking.

I understand that by going to school I am broadening my mind, but in other ways I feel stifled. Before I began college I took a break in which I taught art for two years to a hundred students, who saw me as a mentor and role model. I also served on my city's Art Counsel, where I was highly respected and my opinion became action. After that I paid my way to Paris where I soaked in the greatest works of art in the world. I have done so much living in my little 20 years of being on this earth. Sometimes I'm painfully aware of how distant my own world view is from my peers. I have faith, I have a sense of purpose, and my art is my vehicle to success. I don't desire wealth, and I have no illusions of grandeur I want after that simple life of painting, a job that pays well enough, and lemonade on warm Texan evenings. If my art touches someone and makes them pause to look in closer than my goal has been achieved. We are only given so many days to live and laugh, to serve and love, and we shouldn't waste them. I guess what I'm saying is that this is my summer of painting, and I'm not going to waste my time anymore. Today is the day I take my future and my paintbrush into my own hands.

Here is the first painting in my series. Pink Socks is my working title, and it's about half way done. If you have any wish to ask me questions concerning my art, or just to say hi my email is SarahBosserman@gmail.com

Thursday, May 16, 2013

To create a painting is to walk the line between madness and mindful accuracy. First you lay out a carefully sketched drawing on paper. Maybe you mess around with the composition and line work. Then you transfer this sketch onto the canvas, where again, you meticulously render the subject. Soon you're ready for paint, and this is where the struggle lays.

Too much careful brush work and the painting feels stiff and dead. Too much wild, abstract globs of paint and let's not kid ourselves, it's garbage. It's that sweet spot, that Goldy-Locks area of perfection we as artists strive for. It needs to make sense but be fluid. It needs to have the effortless look about it.

I can't say for sure if Flower Girl achieved that sweet spot, but it feels very close, and I can honestly say that I'm proud of this piece.

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About Sarah B

Sarah Bosserman is an artist from Portland Oregon living in Dallas Texas. She's a world traveler and experienced art teacher. To contact her for enquiries into her art, or to just say hi, email SarahBosserman@gmail.com